The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-09-17
PRESERVE THE BIOGRAPHIES.
BY REV. w. E. MANLEY, d. d.
Denver, Coll

We have a suggestion which seems
wise, and trust it will commend itself
to those for whom it is intended, as
worthy of serious consideration, and of
compliance. There are a number of
biographies of our clergymen that have
been partly published, and then sus-
pended. In cases of death, as of Rev.
j. M. Austin, the suspension can be
readily accounted for; but in other in
stances, as that of Rev. A. G. Barry,
D. D., the reason is not so obvious.
Surely, all that was published in regard
to these brethren, was read by some of
us with great interest, and l doubt not
it was generally so.
A considerable number of biographies
appeared some years ago, and probably
they were not very profitable to the
publishers. But what is not profitable
now, may be profitable at some future
time. This brings me to the sugges-
| ton L wish to make. 1t is this: save
the documentsl Let the facts be all
gathered up, and committed to writing,
in form fitted for publication, if that
can be done; but at all events in some
form. Then let these be deposited in
some safe place, to await the order of
Providence. My word for it, the time
will come, when they will pay for pub
| LEGATION.
But in pledging my word, 1 am re-
minded of a little story told of our
venerated Father Ballou- witty as he
was wise. Some one said to him, of
some other man, He is as good as his
word" YES" said Mr.. Ballou, ssthat
may be, but his word is good for moth
| ing"
Universalist ministers are living in
times that are peculiar, and perhaps l
may say, we are "a peculiar people,"
made so by our surroundings. And if
we get but little credit for our labors
and sacrifices in the cause of the Mas
ter, the time is sure TO come, if we will
have it so, by preserving the required
records, when we shall receive all de-
served praise, and probably good deal
more than our deserts. The value to
the world of the reform that has been
promoted by our efforts, feeble as they
may seem to US individually, will be
duly appreciated by those that will
come after us; and not the least, per-
haps, by those that do not take our
name.
With what profound interest do we
read the history of our doctrine, as pre-
sented in the work Of Rev. r. Eddy,
ID. D., recently published 1t has cost
almost life time to gather up the
facts he has obtained and put into
proper form for our instruction and ed
ification. And yet, with all his labor
and research, multitude of facts of
SURPRISING interest, no doubt, have
passed beyond his reach, and can never
be recovered. The merest fraction of
this labor would have been sufficient to
have recorded and preserved these facts
at the time, and without the loss of
any of them, had the necessity of doing
it, been appreciated. Let us not sub
ject some future explorer to so much
unnecessary toll and trouble, through
our neglect.
This is matter in which societies
and churches should feel an interest,
and do their share of the work. These
can keep the records in their own.
possession, perhaps but ministers
would do well to deposit their docu-
ments in our Historical Library at
Tufts College. If they are not pub
lished in thousand years, they will be
all the more valuable. Who would not
purchase biography, a thousand years
old? Do not talk of vanity" but
rather of ''vexatiOn of spirit" on the
part of those, who, like the indefatiga-
BILE Br. Eddy, is trying to gather up
these documents, not the fifth part of |
thousand years old. 1t is more a mat |
ter of duty than vanity. Call it vanity
if you please; for one mean to do what
| commend to others, and call it duty.
If others will do the same, they may
call it vanity, if that suits them better.
Since writing the foregoing, | have
read an article in this paper, from an
Episcopal clergyman of England, trav-
cling in our country. He thinks the
Universalist church need not have been,
as we could have had all needed church
privileges in other communions, as
nearly all the orthodox ministers have